Warning to customers about telephone scam

Mar 9, 2017, 15:51 PM

There have been reports from some customers who have received fraudulent phone calls from individuals claiming to be calling from Canadian Collective Services. These individuals advise that their call is in regards to a bad debt account that FortisAlberta has sent to them. Please be advised that this is a scam and there are several similar scams happening across North America. Do not provide these individuals with any of your personal information.

IDENTIFYING A SCAM
According to reports, the fraudulent calls may come from a 1-800 phone number or display a legitimate retailer number. Individuals carrying out these scams are calling customers and are demanding immediate payment in order to avoid disconnection. The caller then suggests that to avoid disconnection, the customer must purchase a gift card immediately and call back to provide the serial number on the back of the card.
This is a reminder, that we do not collect credit card or bank account information over the telephone, or take payment as we are not the retailer. If you receive a call from someone representing Canadian Collective Services or FortisAlberta, and you question the authenticity of the call, you should hang up and call FortisAlberta at 310-WIRE (9473) or 1-855-333-9473.

If an account is in arrears, retailers will send several notices through the mail asking for payment and will usually use an automated dialer to remind customers to make a payment before a disconnection will occur. Additionally, in Alberta there are regulations preventing your power from being disconnected at any time when the temperature is below zero degrees Celsius within a 24-hour period.
WHAT TO DO
We are asking customers who receive these suspicious calls to:
· not give out any personal information
· report the call to one of the following:
o FortisAlberta at 1-855-333-9473
o Your retailer
o Utilities Consumer Advocate (UCA) by email or at 310-4822